Issue 193
Features
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Paint-Grade Interior Trim
Choosing molding that looks good and finishes well takes more thought than it used to.
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A Balcony Deck Built to Last
Durable finish materials hide strong framing connections in a graceful design that overlooks the ocean.
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Setting Up an Efficient Job-Site Shop
A veteran trim carpenter shares his strategies for improving productivity, precision, and security.
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Plumbing a Basement Bathroom
Cutting through the slab is grunt work of the highest order, but a relatively easy way to get an extra bath.
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A Better Home Right Now
This concept home shows how smart design, advanced building practices, and modern technologies improve livability and energy performance.
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A Smarter Way to Flash
Removable two-part counterflashing allows access to roof flashings without digging in to the wall.
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Tools for Installing Fiber-Cement Siding
The popularity of this durable, low-maintenance siding has bred a variety of tools to simplify and speed installation.
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A Fence Forever
Furniture-grade details dress up a steel-frame fence.
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A Clever Kitchen Built-in
Six small boxes joined behind a simple face frame exploit a shallow space.
Article
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Germans take first prize in solar competition
College students design and build nearly net-zero energy homes
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Web sites we like: February/March 2008 issue
Where to recycle asphalt Want to drop off construction debris somewhere other than the landfill? Look to the Whole Building Design Group’s Web site for a state-by-state list of recycling…
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Latinos Will Drive the Next Housing Boom
In this 2008 interview, former secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development Henry Cisneros talks about predictions of an urban renaissance.
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Psst ... want to buy some unused square footage?
Boulder considers limiting the size of new houses
Cross Section
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Pint-size miter saw
7-1/4-in. Miter saw with laser trac
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Trim takes a spin
Trim Adjustor
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Push-fit plumbing
SharkBite push fittings
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Studded traction for boots
Stabilicers
Tools & Materials
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Celebrating Built-in Storage
Consolidating beauty and function, built-in storage is an efficient, space-maximizing option
Finishing Touches
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What's the Difference: Fire-Resistant Drywall
Type X and type C drywall are designed specifically to be used in fire-rated assemblies.
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What's the Difference: Three-strand twisted rope
Which type for which job?
What is the Difference
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Pulling stubborn nails
Sometimes, a hammer claw is ideal; other situations might require a cat's paw or a pair of nippers.
Building Skills
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Laminating a curved rail with a vacuum press
When strip-laminating a curved piece of wood, a vacuum press can be a useful alternative to standard clamps
Master Carpenter
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Laying out wainscot paneling
Addressing common problems before layout helps ensure a trouble-free installation
Drawing Board
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Video Vault: Nail Removal Tricks
Remove nails the right way to salvage boards and save your hands
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Custom Knives, Custom Moldings
A tour inside The New England Woodworking Company's millwork shop
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Cutting Fiber-Cement Siding with a Circular Saw
For straight cuts of fiber cement, a specialized circular saw with a matching blade controls dust.
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Cutting Curves and Holes in Fiber Cement
A scribe, a hole saw, nibblers, and a jigsaw are all good options for cutting fiber cement when anything but a straight cut is required.
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Cutting Fiber Cement with Shears
Shears make a nice, clean cut while protecting both your siding material and your lungs
